He said he had suffered "serious intimidation and distress together with reputational damage as is evidenced by recent widespread graffiti appearing in west Belfast".

He claims there was misrepresentation and breach of confidentiality together with negligence based on the failure of Boston College to advise him that what he said could be subject to court orders as part of other litigations.

As Boston College has a subsidiary company based in Dublin, under European law the case can be taken in the High Court in Belfast.

Some of the material gathered for the US project was used by Northern Ireland police to question Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

He was arrested at the end of April over the 1972 IRA murder of Jean McConville. He was released without charge and a file is being sent to prosecutors.

Speaking on Monday night, Mr O'Rawe said: "I entered into the project in good faith in order to contribute to an important historical narrative of the conflict.

"My contribution never mentioned anything at all about the disappearance and murder of Jean McConville, because I know nothing about it.

"Despite that, the police were still able to get my recordings. They should never have been allowed to do that.

"I blame Boston College for the mess and I want them held accountable for putting me in this position."